Main
André van Zyl
Public Health Data Analytics Professional
André is a public health data analytics professional with approximately ten years’ work experience in roles related to research, technology, analytics, public health, behavioral health, and education. His current career interests revolve around digital analytics and data science, electronic data acquisition, epidemiology, and monitoring and evaluation. He is used to working in settings where the resources required to meet project objectives are limited. For the past two years, he has been responsible for monitoring and managing the data collection of a research project with 27 sites in three South African provinces.
Professional Experience
Independent Contractor
Present - June 2020
- Application development, quality assurance, and configuration for US COVID-19 clients using the CommCare platform.
- Create technical documentation of application systems, requirements clarification, and LOE estimates, and provide additional clarity to clients about the system.
- Utilizing Asana for project communication and management.
Consultant
April 2020 - March 2020
- Lead the University Health Services data and analytics teams in COVID-19 surveillance and outbreak response.
- Utilizing Google Docs and Google Sheets for project communication and management.
- Aid in defining objectives and priorities.
- Analyze and report on operational data.
- Export and transform REDCap data using the RStudio programming environment to ensure clinicians and administrators have timely access to actionable data.
- Advising on business continuity planning and expansion.
- Identifying and engaging with service providers who could assist with system improvements.
Data Manager
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
June 2020 - Sep 2017
- Drafting of the data management section of the protocol.
- Project planning and implementation related to data collection and management.
- Development of the mobile data collection application on the CommCare platform.
- Configuration of the short text messaging system used to communicate with participants.
- Ensuring that the mobile data collection application meets the research project’s protocol specifications and operational needs.
- Questionnaire improvement and translation to CommCare.
- Develop video recordings, presentations, and documents used to train field staff.
- Training of coordinators and fieldworkers on using Android OS, internet communication tools, the data collection application, and questionnaire completion.
- Creation of project performance reports and visual data representations using RStudio. My resume is an example of such a report written in RStudio.
- Refining the mobile data collection application based on feedback from the research team, the project manager, the coordinators, and the team working at the clinics.
- Provision of local and remote technical and data collection support to 27 fieldworkers and three project coordinators.
- Managing the data collection operations with the help of RStudio, the CommCare Data Export Tool, WhatsApp, and the on-the-ground help of the project manager.
- Ensure that researchers are blinded.
- Generate detailed Microsoft Word reports in RStudio, highlighting outliers and inconsistencies in the data.
- Programmatically clean data based on the feedback from the districts.
- Programmatically generate neatly structured and labeled STATA data files from our research data stored on a local PostgreSQL server.
Title of the research: ImPROving TB outcomes by modifying LIFE-style behaviours through a brief motivational intervention followed by short text messages (ProLife): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Data Administrator
The Foundation for Professional Development
Sep 2017 - Sep 2016
I supported the data and implementation teams on the following projects:
- Assessment of mental health care services provided in public health clinics in four districts in SA, 2016-2017
- Validation of TB stigma scales in Buffalo City Metropolitan, Nkangala and Tshwane Districts in South Africa
- Phased implementation of a public health program: cryptococcal antigen screening and treatment in South Africa
- Investigating the acceptability, feasibility and outcomes of home-based TB testing of household contacts using a new, mobile point of care technology
- Pilot study of STI screening and treatment for PMTCT
Research Assistant
Mar 2016 - Sep 2016
Title of the research: Addressing tobacco smoking and drinking to improve TB treatment outcomes in South Africa: a feasibility study of the “ProLife” programme
Support Consultant
May 2016 - Jan 2014
- Utilizing Google Docs, Google Sheets, and software developers project management tools.
- Supported the implementation of the ITSI eLearning platform in South African schools.
- Training teachers and learners on how to use the ITSI eLearning platform.
- Quality assurance on electronic textbooks.
- Developing training material.
- Provided helpdesk support.
- Testing of the ITSI eLearning platform and recommending product improvements.
- Advising the software development team on product improvements based on feedback from our clients.
Behavioral Therapist
Zizi Centre for Children with Autism
Jul 2014 - Feb 2014
Research Assistant
Nelson Mandela University Department of Nursing
Jul 2012 - Oct 2011
Title of the research: Help-seeking behaviour, barriers to care and experiences of care among persons with depression in Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Education
University of Pretoria
Master of Public Health
2016
Thesis: Health education resources available to high school Life Orientation educators in Tshwane, South Africa.
Modules:
- Biostatistics
- Communication in Health
- Disease Control
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
- Health Management
- Health Promotion
- Human Nutrition and Public Health
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Project Management in Healthcare
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Social Determinants
Publications
Striving for Equity: Life Orientation Resources in South African High Schools
Accepted for publication in the May 2021 issue of the South African Journal of Education
N/A
2021
André van Zyl, Elizabeth M. Webb, Jaqueline E. Wolvaardt
Mixed-methods evaluation of mental healthcare integration into tuberculosis and maternal-child healthcare services of four South African districts.
BMC Health Services Research volume 19, Article number: 83 (2019)
N/A
2019
Kathryn L. Lovero, Samantha L. Lammie, André van Zyl, Sharon N. Paul, Phuti Ngwepe, Jennifer J. Mootz, Catherine Carlson, Annika C. Sweetland, Rachel C. Shelton, Milton L. Wainberg & Andrew Medina-Marino
Volunteer Experience
Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA) Health Information and Technology Special Interest Group Chair
Jun 2018 - Mar 2016
Junior Public Health Association of South Africa (JuPHASA) Secretary
Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA)
Sep 2016 - Oct 2015
Lay counselor
South African National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders (NICRO)
Nov 2012 - Mar 2012
Professional Development Courses
Counselor and Support Group Facilitator Training
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group
2013
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (SIT TESOL)
2012